The innovative project was sparked after Cloontagh NS Principal Eibhlin McCracken received notification in the post of a project being run by Limerick-based charity Bóthar.

Bóthar has projects to help impoverished communities in 20 countries across the world.

One of its projects involves transporting dairy cows located in Ireland to impoverished countries in Africa to give families there a chance at a better future.

The families are given assistance before and after the animal arrives, and they must agree to pass on the first female calf born of their cow to another selected family.

HELPING AFRICA!. . . .Pupils from Cloontagh National School, Clonmany pictured checking their total so far to raise funds for Irish charity Bothar. The pupils intends to raise 1,800 euro to supply a cow to a family in Africa. Pictured are Katelyn McDaid, Keva McGonigle, Tiernan McGonigle and Megan Doherty. DER1115MC131

Cloontagh teacher Marie Doherty said the children had been looking for a Lenten project to get involved with and this one seemed the perfect fit.

“Being from Cloontagh it is a fairly rural area and a lot of the children would come from farming background. They would have an understanding of how valuable farm animals can be.

“Two people came up from Limerick to explain the work they do and that just seemed to get the children fired up.

“Initially we intended to send a goat, which costs 300 euro, but the children really wanted to send a cow, which costs 1,800 euro.

Fifth Class pupils Connor O'Donnell, Adam McDaid, Sean McGonigle and Dylan McGonigle check out their agricultural column in their 'Cloontagh Chronicle', on Friday morning. The students are helping raise money to send to Africa. DER1115MC132

“The cows would go from Ireland because Irish cows will give a lot more milk.

“It is a lot of money to raise and it is ambitious, but even if we don’t make the target we will send whatever contribution we have.

“Giving a cow to a family makes a world of difference and the families are trained in how to keep the animal and the cows they send are all in calf.”